Abstract

The health benefits of green tea for a wide variety of ailments, including different types of cancer, heart disease, and liver disease, were reported. Many of these beneficial effects of green tea are related to its catechin, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, content. There is evidence from in vitro and animal studies on the underlying mechanisms of green tea catechins and their biological actions. There are also human studies on using green tea catechins to treat metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Long-term consumption of tea catechins could be beneficial against high-fat diet-induced obesity and type II diabetes and could reduce the risk of coronary disease. Further research that conforms to international standards should be performed to monitor the pharmacological and clinical effects of green tea and to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

The health-promoting effects of green tea are mainly attributed to its polyphenol content [12], particularly flavanols and flavonols, which represent 30% of fresh leaf dry weight [1]. Recently, many of the aforementioned beneficial effects of green tea were attributed to its most abundant catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) [13–15]. Green tea extracts are more stable than pure epigallocatechin gallate, one of the major constituents of green tea, because of the presence of other antioxidant constituents in the extract [8]. In general, herbal medicines are complex mixtures of different compounds that often act in a synergistic fashion to exert their full beneficial effect [11]. However, relatively few herbal medicines have been well characterized and their efficacy demonstrated in systematic clinical trials as compared to Western drugs. This review article highlights the recent research on the efficacy, action mechanisms, and side effects of green tea and its catechins in in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo systems [16].

The review on green tea and its catechins focused on language literature in English. The literature search was conducted in the following databases: Pubmed (1980-2009), EMBASE (1980-2009), Allied and complementary Medicine Database (AMED, 1985-2009) and China Journals Full Text Database (1975-2009). The keywords used were selected from the following terms: green tea, catechins, anticancer, diabetes, polyphenols, in vivo studies, general pharmacology and toxicology. The health benefits and adverse effects of green tea and its catechins were reviewed.

The authors read full articles and reached consensus after discussion. Articles included in the study covered the following effects of green tea: (1) the health benefits in humans and animals, (2) absorption of metal ions and drug-metabolizing enzymes, (3) antioxidation and inhibition of oxidative stress, (4) carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes mellitus, and (5) adverse effects. A total of 105 peer-reviewed papers in English were selected for this review.

Green tea

Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Tea, from the plant Camellia sinensis, is consumed in different parts of the world as green, black, or Oolong tea. Among all of these, however, the most significant effects on human health have been observed with the consumption of green tea [17]. The first green tea was exported from India to Japan during the 17th century. It is estimated that about 2.5 million tons of tea leaves are produced each year throughout the world, with 20% produced as green tea, which is mainly consumed in Asia, some parts of North Africa, the United States, and Europe [18]. The association between tea consumption, especially green tea, and human health has long been appreciated [19, 20]. Green tea and black tea are processed differently during manufacturing. To produce green tea, freshly harvested leaves are immediately steamed to prevent fermentation, yielding a dry, stable product. This steaming process destroys the enzymes responsible for breaking down the color pigments in the leaves and allows the tea to maintain its green color during the subsequent rolling and drying processes. These processes preserve natural polyphenols with respect to the health-promoting properties. As green tea is fermented to Oolong and then to black tea, polyphenol compounds (catechins) in green tea are dimerized to form a variety of theaflavins, such that these teas may have different biological activities.

Green tea contains polyphenols, which include flavanols, flavandiols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids; these compounds may account for up to 30% of the dry weight. Most of the green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are flavonols, commonly known as catechins. Products derived from green tea are mainly extracts of green tea in liquid or powder form that vary in the proportion of polyphenols (45-90%) and caffeine content (0.4-10%). The major flavonoids of green tea are various catechins, which are found in greater amounts in green tea than in black or Oolong tea [23]. There are four kinds of catechins mainly find in green tea: epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and EGCG [24]. The preparation methods influence the catechins both quantitatively and qualitatively; the amount of catechins also varies in the original tea leaves due to differences in variety, origin, and growing conditions [25]. The preparation of fresh green tea cannot totally extract catechins from the leaves; therefore, the concentration found differs from the absolute values determined through the complete extraction of leaves [26]. Moreover, catechins are relatively unstable and could be quantitatively and qualitatively modified during the time frame of an experiment [27, 28]. Thus, comparison of ingested doses in animal studies is not possible because the catechin quantification before administration is often not known.

Health benefits of green tea in humans and animals

Studies using animal models show that green tea catechins provide some protection against degenerative diseases [29]. Some studies indicated that green tea has an antiproliferative activity on hepatoma cells and a hypolipidemic activity in hepatoma-treated rats, as well as the prevention of hepatoxicity [29] and as a preventive agent against mammary cancer post-initiation [29]. Green tea catechins could also act as antitumorigenic agents [30] and as immune modulators in immunodysfunction caused by transplanted tumors or by carcinogen treatment [29]. Moreover, green tea, its extract, and its isolated constituents were also found to be effective in preventing oxidative stress [31] and neurological problems [32].

Green tea consumption has also been linked to the prevention of many types of cancer, including lung, colon, esophagus, mouth, stomach, small intestine, kidney, pancreas, and mammary glands [33]. Several epidemiological studies and clinical trials showed that green tea (and black and Oolong teas to a lesser extent) may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases [34]. This beneficial effect has been attributed to the presence of high amounts of polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants. In particular, green tea may lower blood pressure and thus reduce the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Some animal's studies suggested that green tea might protect against the development of coronary heart disease by reducing blood glucose levels and body weight [35]. However, all these data are based on middle-aged animals' populations, not the elderly populations, which nutritional status tends to be more adversely influenced by age-related biological and socioeconomic factors [36].

Tea components possess antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic effects and could protect humans against the risk of cancer by environmental agents [37]. Sano et al. [38] reported the inhibitory effects of green tea leaves against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation, and a similar antioxidant effect on the kidney was observed after oral administration of the major tea polyphenol EGCG. The antioxidative potency of crude catechin powder and individual catechins was tested in experiments using the active oxygen method. Crude catechins reduced the formation of peroxides far more effectively than dl-α-tocopherol [39]. Shim et al. [40] studied the chemopreventive effect of green tea among cigarette smokers and found that it can block the cigarette-induced increase in sister chromatid exchange frequency.

The effectiveness of green tea in treating any type of diarrhea and typhoid has been known in Asia since ancient times [41–43]. Green tea catechins have an inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori infection [44, 45]. Effects of green tea against the influenza virus, especially in its earliest stage, as well as against the Herpes simplex virus have also been demonstrated [46–48]. Furthermore, Weber et al. [9] observed that adenovirus infection is inhibited in vitro by green tea catechins.

In humans, Hirasawa and Takada [49] studied the antifungal activity of green tea catechins against Candida albicans and the convenience of a combined treatment with catechins and lower doses of antimycotics, which may help to avoid the side effects of antimycotics. Green tea consumption has also been associated with increased bone mineral density, and it has been identified as an independent factor protecting against the risk of hip fractures; this effect was considered independent of smoking status, hormone replacement therapy, coffee drinking, and the addition of milk to tea [50]. Park et al. [51] observed the positive effects of green tea extracts and GTPs on the proliferation and activity of bone cells. The proliferation of hepatic stellate cells is closely related to the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, and EGCG has a potential inhibitory effect on the proliferation of these cells [52, 53]. Green tea strengthens the immune system action because it protects it against oxidants and radicals. Recent studies suggested that GTPs might protect against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and other neurodegenerative diseases [10, 54]. Studies have demonstrated GTP neuroprotectant activity in cell cultures and animal models, such as the prevention of neurotoxin-induced cell injury [54]. Green tea is considered to be useful for insect stings due mainly to its anti-inflammatory effects and its capacity to stop bleeding [55, 56]. Some studies have suggested an inverse association between green tea consumption and the risk of kidney stone formation [41, 57]. In an experimental cataractogenesis system, green tea acted by preserving the antioxidant defense system of the lens [58]. Skrzydlewska et al. [59] indicated a beneficial effect of green tea in alcohol intoxication. In addition to all of these reported properties, which have helped the recognition of green tea as functional food by some authors [60], green tea is also currently used in the preparation of a variety of foods, pharmaceutical preparations, dentifrices, and cosmetics [61].

Tea has been shown anticarcinogenic effects against breast cancer in experimental studies [62]. However, epidemiologic evidence that tea protects against breast cancer has been inconsistent [62]. A case-control study was conducted in southeastern China between 2004 and 2005 [63]. The incidence cases were 1009 female patients aged 20-87 years with histologically confirmed breast cancer, and the 1009 age-matched controls were healthy women randomly recruited from breast disease clinics. Information on duration, frequency, quantity, preparation, and type of tea consumption as well as diet and lifestyle were collected by face-to-face interviews using a validated and reliable questionnaire. In comparison with non-tea drinkers, green tea drinkers tended to reside in urban settings, to have more education, and to consume more coffee, alcohol, soy, vegetables, and fruits. After adjusting established and potential confounding factors, green tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Similar dose-response relationships were observed for duration of drinking green tea, number of cups consumed, and new batches prepared per day.

Hsu et al. [64] demonstrated the effects of supplementation with decaffeinated green tea extract (catechins) on hemodialysis-induced reactive oxygen species, atherosclerotic disease risk factors, and proinflammatory cytokines. The pharmacokinetics of one oral dose of catechins was compared between healthy subjects and hemodialysis patients. The authors compared the antioxidant effects of three different doses (0, 455, and 910 mg) of oral catechins with that of oral vitamin C (500 mg) during a hemodialysis session. In patients, catechin supplementation reduced hemodialysis-enhanced plasma hypochlorous acid activity more effectively than did placebo or vitamin C. Between the treatments with 455 and 910 mg catechins, no significant difference was found in the reduction of plasma hypochlorous acid activity. Catechins also significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression enhanced by hemodialysis.

Effects on absorption of metal ions

Tea catechins can affect iron absorption, particularly in groups at risk of iron deficiency [65, 66], but their effects on other ions are poorly understood. Green tea ingestion over a long period does not affect the apparent absorption of copper, whereas it decreases that of zinc and increases that of manganese [67]. However, catechin intake does not affect the plasma concentration of these ions [68]. Green tea catechins have the potential to affect absorption and metabolism of ions because flavonoids interact with a variety of metal ions [69].

Effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes

Long-term ingestion of green tea increases UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activity in rats [66, 70, 71], and after being absorbed, catechins are metabolized by drug-metabolizing enzymes in various organs [72, 73]. Thus, the increased glucuronidation through UDP-glucuronosyl transferase induction is postulated to contribute to the anticarcinogenic effect of green tea by facilitating the metabolism of chemical carcinogens into inactive products that are readily excreted. The interaction between 2-amino-3-methylimidazol (4,5-f)quinoline (IQ) and green tea catechin metabolism was examined [74]. IQ is a precarcinogen that was originally detected in an extract of fried meat. The major route of IQ biotransformation in rats is cytochrome P450 in the first step, followed by conjugation to a sulfate and a glucuronide conjugate. Green tea modifies IQ metabolism in rats, increasing the formation of IQ glucuronides, which are then excreted in the urine. Moreover, protection against cancers induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by green tea catechins may be due to the inhibition of their cytochrome P450 metabolism, but the effect of green tea on cytochrome P450 enzymes depends on the particular form. The long-term consumption of green tea increases cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1A2 activities, but not 2B1 and 2E1 activities, in normal rats. However, it is difficult to draw conclusions about a beneficial effect of green tea against carcinogens involving only modulation of this metabolic pathway.

Effects on antioxidant markers and oxidative stress

Green tea is a popular neutraceutical as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen, superoxide, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and peroxynitrite. An imbalance between antioxidants and reactive oxygen species results in oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage [75]. Catechins are hypothesized to help protect against these diseases by contributing, along with antioxidant vitamins (i.e., vitamins C and E) and enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase and catalase), to the total antioxidant defense system [76].

In vivo studies showed that green tea catechins increase total plasma antioxidant activity [77, 78]. Intake of green tea extracts also increases the activity of superoxide dismutase in serum and the expression of catalase in the aorta; these enzymes are implicated in cellular protection against reactive oxygen species [78, 79]. This action is combined with direct action on oxygen species by a decrease in the nitric oxide plasma concentration [80]. Malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, also decreases after green tea intake [77, 80]. These results suggest that catechins could have a direct (antioxidant) or indirect (increase of activity or expression) effect. Since catechins can act as antioxidants in vitro, they might prevent the oxidation of other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. However, ingestion of green tea catechins does not modify the plasma status of vitamins E and C in vivo [78, 81, 82]. Nevertheless, one study reported that catechins increase vitamin E concentration in low-density lipoprotein [81] and in this way could protect low-density lipoprotein against peroxidation [77].

Pilipenko et al. [83] assessed the tolerance of tableted green tea and its effect on the antioxidant status indices. Twenty-five patients with different gastrointestinal pathologies were included in the study and divided into treatment and control groups. The tolerance of tableted green tea was good in the treatment group, who showed better dynamics of quality-of-life indices, especially in scales of body pain and social functioning. There were no significant differences in biochemical analysis between the groups, which may indicate the safety of this product. Analysis revealed that the treatment group showed a decreased level of all antioxidant status indices, as reflected in a significant decreasing of the lipid peroxidation index from 4.63 to 4.14.

Effects on carbohydrate metabolism

Type II diabetes is a heterogeneous disorder that involves resistance of glucose and lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues to the biological activity of insulin and inadequate insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells [84]. Animal models of diabetes are available: Zucker rats, which are genetically obese; injection of streptozotocin or alloxan, which destroys pancreatic β cells; and treatment with sucrose-rich diets, which induces obesity and insulin resistance.

In a study by Sabu et al. [85], administration of GTPs (500 mg/kg) to normal rats increased glucose tolerance significantly at 60 minutes. GTPs were also found to reduce significantly serum glucose levels in alloxan diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Continued daily administration (15 days) of the extract at 50 or 100 mg/kg produced 29% and 44% reduction, respectively, in the elevated serum glucose level produced by alloxan administration. Elevated hepatic and renal enzymes produced by alloxan were found to be reduced significantly by GTPs. The serum lipid peroxidation level was increased by alloxan and reduced significantly by the administration of 100 mg/kg of GTPs. Decreased liver glycogen resulting from alloxan administration showed a significant increase after GTP treatment. The GTP-treated group showed increased antioxidant potential, as seen from improvements in superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels. However, catalase, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione peroxidase levels were unchanged. These results indicate that alterations in the glucose utilizing system and oxidation status in rats that were increased by alloxan were partially reversed by the administration of GTPs [85].

Catechins also reduced plasma triglyceride levels in an oral glucose-tolerance test in normal rats [86]. Green tea extract intake reduced these values in both Zucker rats and rats fed a sucrose-rich diet [87, 88]. Several human- and animal-based studies suggested that green tea and its flavonoids have antidiabetic effects [86, 89, 90]. Green tea flavonoids were also shown to have insulin-like activities [91] as well as insulin-enhancing activity [92].

The antihyperglycemic effect of black tea was reported by Gomes et al. [93]. EGCG was found to inhibit intestinal glucose uptake by the sodium-dependent glucose transporter SGLT1, indicating its increase in controlling blood sugar [94]. Streptozotocin diabetic rats showed increased sensitivity to platelet aggregation and thrombosis, and this abnormality could be improved by dietary catechins from green tea [95, 96]. Alloxan produces oxygen radicals in the body, which cause pancreatic injury [75] and are responsible for increased blood sugar.

Under in vivo conditions, glutathione acts as an antioxidant, and its decrease was reported in a diabetes mellitus model [97]. The increased glutathione content in the liver of the rats treated with GTPs may be one of the factors responsible for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase and catalase are the two major scavenging enzymes that remove the toxic free radicals in vivo. Vucic et al. [98] reported that the activity of superoxide dismutase is low in diabetes mellitus.

The Mediterranean Islands (MEDIS) epidemiological study is a cross-sectional health and nutrition survey that aims to evaluate the association between various sociodemographic, bioclinical, dietary, and other lifestyle habits and the prevalence of the common cardiovascular disease risk factors (i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity) among elderly people without a history of any chronic disease and living in the Mediterranean islands. Because data relating tea consumption with clinical characteristics are lacking in elderly populations, in the context of the MEDIS study, the authors sought to evaluate whether green tea consumption is independently associated with fasting blood glucose levels and the prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus [99]. An earlier study was aimed at providing evidence of improvement in glucose metabolism in diabetic mice and healthy humans upon green tea consumption [35]. Green tea promoted glucose metabolism in healthy human volunteers at 1.5 g/kg as shown in oral glucose-tolerance tests. Green tea also lowered blood glucose levels in diabetic db+/db+ mice and streptozotocin-diabetic mice two to six hours after administration at 300 mg/kg without affecting serum insulin level, whereas no effect was observed in control mice (+m/+m and normal ddY mice).

Lambert et al. [103] showed that intragastric administration of EGCG at a dose of 75 mg/kg resulted in a Cmax of 128 mg/l total plasma EGCG and a terminal half-life of 83 minutes. Furthermore, in humans an oral intake of EGCG at a dose of 50 mg (0.7 mg/kg) resulted in a Cmax of 130 mg/l total plasma EGCG and a terminal half-life of 112 minutes [104]. These results indicate that rodents must be orally administered 100- to 600-fold more EGCG (depending on whether they are administered by gavage or by feed admixture) to achieve similar plasma concentrations as those found in humans. Total plasma EGCG concentrations shown to be efficacious in mice and rats can be reached by an intake of low to moderate doses of EGCG in humans.

Effect on obesity

The effects of tea on obesity and diabetes have received increasing attention. Tea catechins, especially EGCG, appear to have antiobesity and antidiabetic effects [105]. African black tea extract has been shown to suppress the elevation of blood glucose during food intake and reduce the body weight in KK-A(y)/TaJcl diabetic mice [106]. Although few epidemiological and clinical studies have shown the health benefits of EGCG on obesity and diabetes, the mechanisms of its actions are emerging based on various laboratory data. These mechanisms may be related to certain pathways, such as through the modulations of energy balance, endocrine systems, food intake, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and redox status [88].

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design study showed that consumption of a beverage containing green tea catechins, caffeine, and calcium increases 24-h energy expenditure by 4.6%, but the contribution of the individual ingredients could not be distinguished. It was suggested that such modifications were sufficient to prevent weight gain. It has been reported that the body weights of rats and their plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced by feedings of Oolong, black, and green tea leaves to the animals. In addition, the inhibition of growth and suppression of lipogenesis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells may be through down-regulation of fatty acid synthase gene expression in the nucleus and stimulation of cell energy expenditure in the mitochondria [107, 108]. When fed to mice, EGCG purified from green tea decreased diet-induced obesity in mice by decreasing energy absorption and increasing fat oxidation [109]. The increased and prolonged sympathetic stimulation of thermogenesis by the interaction between polyphenols and caffeine could be of value in assisting the management of obesity [110].

Recent data from human studies indicate that the consumption of green tea and green tea extracts may help reduce body weight, mainly body fat, by increasing postprandial thermogenesis and fat oxidation. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot study, six overweight men were given 300 mg EGCG per day for two days. Fasting and postprandial changes in energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were assessed. Resting energy expenditure did not differ significantly between EGCG and placebo treatments, although during the first postprandial monitoring phase, respiratory quotient values were significantly lower with EGCG treatment compared to the placebo. These findings suggest that EGCG alone has the potential to increase fat oxidation in men and may thereby contribute to the antiobesity effects of green tea. However, more studies with a greater sample size and a broader range of age and body mass index are needed to define the optimal dose [111].

Adverse effects of green tea

Although green tea has several beneficial effects on health, the effects of green tea and its constituents may be beneficial up to a certain dose yet higher doses may cause some unknown adverse effects. Moreover, the effects of green tea catechins may not be similar in all individuals. EGCG of green tea extract is cytotoxic, and higher consumption of green tea can exert acute cytotoxicity in liver cells, a major metabolic organ in the body [112]. Another study found that higher intake of green tea might cause oxidative DNA damage of hamster pancreas and liver [113]. Yun et al. [114] clarified that EGCG acts as a pro-oxidant, rather than an antioxidant, in pancreatic β cells in vivo. Therefore, high intake of green tea may be detrimental for diabetic animals to control hyperglycemia. At a high dose (5% of diet for 13 wk), green tea extract induced a thyroid enlargement (goiter) in normal rats [115, 116]. This high-level treatment modified the plasma concentrations of the thyroid hormones. However, drinking even a very high dietary amount of green tea would be unlikely to cause these adverse effects in humans.

Harmful effects of tea overconsumption (black or green) are due to three main factors: (1) its caffeine content, (2) the presence of aluminum, and (3) the effects of tea polyphenols on iron bioavailability. Green tea should not be taken by patients suffering from heart conditions or major cardiovascular problems. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should drink no more than one or two cups per day, because caffeine can cause an increase in heart rhythm. It is also important to control the concomitant consumption of green tea and some drugs, due to caffeine's diuretic effects [117]. Some studies revealed the capacity of tea plants to accumulate high levels of aluminum. This aspect is important for patients with renal failure because aluminum can be accumulated by the body, resulting in neurological diseases; it is therefore necessary to control the intake of food with high amounts of this metal [118]. Likewise, green tea catechins may have an affinity for iron, and green tea infusions can cause a significant decrease of the iron bioavailability from the diet [119].

Conclusions

Laboratory studies showed the health effects of green tea. As the human clinical evidence is still limited, future research needs to define the actual magnitude of health benefits, establishes the safe range of tea consumption associated with these benefits, and elucidates the mechanisms of action. Development of more specific and sensitive methods with more representative models along with the development of good predictive biomarkers will give a better understanding of how green tea interacts with endogenous systems and other exogenous factors. Definitive conclusions concerning the protective effect of green tea have to come from well-designed observational epidemiological studies and intervention trials. The development of biomarkers for green tea consumption, as well as molecular markers for its biological effects, will facilitate future research in this area.

Abbreviations

EGCG:

epigallocatechin-3-gallate

GTPs:

green tea polyphenols

UDP:

Uridine di-phospatase

IQ:

2-amino-3-methylimidazol (4,5-f)quinoline

MEDIS:

Mediterranean Islands

SDLT:

Sodium dependent glucose transporter

AMED:

Allied and complementary Medicine Database.

Declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

SMC and PTT did the literature search and drafted the manuscript. RK and IN critically reviewed the literature and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Copyright

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.